Photovoltaik-Freiflächenanlagen an Verkehrswegen in Deutschland

Ausbauzustand und mögliche Folgen für den Biotopverbund

authored by

Katharina Niemann, Stefan Rüter, Birte Bredemeier, Lara Diekmann, Michael Reich, Marita Böttcher

Abstract

We studied the potential impact of photovoltaic power plants (PVPPs) on habitat connectivity alongside motorways and railways in Germany. A total of 455 PVPPs were identified based on aerial photos. The solar parks were mainly located in Bavaria (45 %) and had a minimum distance to the trafficways of less than 50 m (55 %). The mean plant area was 6.85 ha. 93 % of the PVPPs overlapped with functional habitat systems in their surrounding area (habitat networks for species of dry biotopes, wet biotopes, forest biotopes as well as corridor systems for larger mammals). Potential conflicts between habitat connectivity and solar parks may arise, in particular, from barrier effects (fencing) and habitat loss. However, despite the need for further research, solar parks with extensively maintained grassland may also have a positive impact on biodiversity. Therefore, the local conditions and affected species need to be taken into account in any assessment of PVPP impacts on habitat connectivity.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Environmental Planning

External Organisation(s)

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BFN)

Type

Article

Journal

Natur und Landschaft : Zeitschrift für Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege

Volume

92

Pages

119-128

No. of pages

10

ISSN

0028-0615

Publication date

03.2017

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Nature and Landscape Conservation

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.17433/3.2017.50153449.119-128 (Access: Closed)